The Kenz Award was created to award young women/girls, and those identifying as such, who are seniors attending Two Harbors High School.

The Kenz Award recognizes the role Patricia McKenzie played and the long-lasting influence she had in the Fund Creator’s lives and the lives of girls in the Two Harbors community. Patricia McKenzie, through her roles as a Two Harbors High School girls’ physical education teacher, girls swimming and aqua maids coach and girl scout leader, shared her love of physical activities of all kinds – hiking, canoeing, camping, swimming, skiing – and simply spending time outdoors. Kenz created – often single handedly – opportunities for girls to participate in physical activities and to pursue wilderness adventures. Opportunities girls were often denied during those decades. Through those experiences, girls learned they could be strong and self-sufficient– both physically and mentally. For many girls, those experiences also engendered a lifelong love of the outdoors and the beauty of the North Shore. By example, she promoted the value of public service and support for community. She lived her life with the courage to be uniquely herself and the drive to make things happen. Along the way, she challenged others to be and do the same and we seek now to further that legacy through this award.

Eligibility

• Identify as female
• Graduating Seniors from Two Harbors High School   
• Demonstrate interest in physical activities, sports, and/or the outdoors and wilderness adventures
• Exemplify the character of Kenz- courage to be themselves, drive to make things happen and service to community

Scholarship Grant Range

• $2,000 for one year

Application timeline

• This scholarship is part of the Universal Application: December 1 – February 15
• ONE Universal Application: Create a profile in the scholarship portal. Fill out the first page of the universal application to filter through all of the scholarships you qualify for. 

Award Details

• This scholarship may be used for expenses of post-secondary education at any accredited college, university or technical/ vocational school

• Award Payments will be mailed directly to the school/ university 
  • Fall Payments are mailed July 15-30
  • Spring Payments are mailed December 15-30
• Transferring Schools: Please contact DSACF if you plan on transferring schools. Transferring schools does not automatically transfer your scholarship. If a transfer occurs after scholarship money has been disbursed it may take up to 90 days to reprocess the scholarship payment. 

Tax information

DSACF encourages scholarship recipients to seek tax advice regarding scholarships. According to the IRS: Scholarships, fellowship grants, and other grants are tax-free if you meet the following conditions:

• You’re a candidate for a degree at an educational institution that maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally has a regularly enrolled body of students in attendance at the place where it carries on its educational activities; and
• The amounts you receive are used to pay for tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at the educational institution, or for fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses at the educational institution.